Bosnia
and Herzegovina, with a 15-mile Adriatic Sea coastline, is a country is
South-East Europe bounded by Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. The
country has a total land area of just under 20,000 square miles and a
population of around 4.6 million – the population density is well above
average at over 200 per square mile. It became an independent country in
1992 following the break-up of Yugoslovia. The GDP (ppp) stands at a
modest $4500 although it has one of the highest income equality ranks –
military industries and other public sector employment along with
farming accounts for this. Politically, the country is divided into two
entities - Republika Srpska (Serb - 49% of total area) and the
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosniak-Croats - 51% of total
area). The Brcko district, a third entity in the north created in 2000
out of land from both entities is a prosperous multiethnic area
represents the hope of the future of the country.

Travel Resources:

Bosnia
and Herzegovina consists of the plains in the Northeast and Southern
regions all else being hilly and/or mountainous. The best time to visit
is from May to September; ski conditions exist between December and
February. Visitors come to partake in the religious and cultural aspects
and take in sights of historical importance. The cities of Sarajevo,
Banja Luka, Tuzla are very popular among the tourists. Stari Most, The
Shrine of Medugorje, the Neretva river with its endemic species and
canyons are some of the star–rated attractions of the area. Its cuisine
is a blend of Turkish, Middle Eastern and other Mediterranean cuisines.

Part
1 is an introduction to the country followed by practical info such as
food & lodging, itineraries, and other tourist information. Part 2
is a complete region-wise coverage of the country and follows with
excellent regional maps.

The
story of the Serbian author Savo Heleta’s struggle for life during the
Bosnia-Herzegovina war. As Bosnian Serbs attacked their primarily Muslim
city of Gorazde, his family became objects of suspicion overnight. The
books message is reconciliation to counter revenge and hatred.

The first stamps of Bosnia & Herzegovina were a set (Scott #1 to #10, no #3) of nine in single colors showing the Coat or Arms released between 1879 and 1894. A
mint copy of the set is very expensive at around $1000 while a used set
can be had for less than $60. The Coat of Arms design continued until
105 – three other sister-sets were released during this period – some of
the lower denominations are especially affordable and can be had for a
few cents (example - Scott #11 to #16) while others are valuable and
fetch several hundreds (example – Scott #19 and #20. Other significant
stamp issues of Bosnia & Herzegovina during the period till 1918
include:

A set (Scott #30 to #45)
of sixteen stamps released in 1906 showing local scenes in single
colors and Emperor Franz Josef in the highest denomination stamp. The
designs show view of Deboj, view of Mostar, Piva Gate Jajce, Narenta
Pass and Prenj River, Rama Valley, Vrbas Valley, Old Bridge or Mostar,
Bey's Mosque of Sarajevo, Donkey Post, Jezero and tourists pavilion,
Mail Wagon, Bazaar at Sarajevo, Postal Car, Saint Luke's Campanile of
Jajce, and Emperor Franz Josef. The set catalogs for around $25 MNH or
used.

A long set of twenty one stamps released between 1912 and 1914 showing Emperor Franz Josef (Austro-Hungary). The set (Scott #65 to #85) catalogs for around $170 MNH or used. The highest denomination dark-ultra-gray 10K stamp is the most valuable at around $100.

An important semi-postal set released in 1916 (Scott #SP1 and #SP2)
showing a wounded soldier and a blind soldier being helped by a woman.
The designs capture the reality of the times very well. The set is very
affordable and can be had for around $2 MNH or used.

A set of eighteen stamps (Scott #105 to #122) released in 1917 showing Emperor Karl I. The set catalogs for around $40 MNH and $60 used.

After
independence in 1992, the three entities that form the country of
Bosnia & Herzegovina issued their own stamps. One significant issue
of Bosnia & Herzegovina after independence is the set of seven
stamps (Scott #210 to #216)
showing the Main Post Office of Sarajevo. The designs aim to capture
the tumultuous civil-war period – the demolished interior, pre-civil war
exterior, and post-war exterior serve as a constant reminder of the
destruction caused by ethnic conflicts. The set catalogs for around $6
MNH or used.

A beautiful set of three stamps released in 1994 showing monasteries. The set (Scott #37 to #39)
show the following designs - Tavina Monastery, Mostanica Monastery, and
Zitomislic Monastery. The catalog value is around $15 MNH or used.

Another beautiful Costumes Set of four stamps released in 2001. The set (Scott #145 to #148) catalogs for around $5 MNH or used.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of
Bosnia & Herzegovina are Copper-Plated-Steel issues denominated in
Feninga (1 Convertible Marka = 100 Convertible Feninga) with
denomination on map with circle in Obverse and Triangle and Stars and
Date within circle in Reverse issued in 1998. The first issues are
remarkably affordable and can be had for a few dollars as a mint set.
The convertible mark replaced the Bosnia and Herzegovina dinar as the
currency in 1998. It is pegged to the German mark. Other numismatic
items of Bosnia and Herzegovina include:

Common
UNC Dinara banknotes from the early 1990s start around $1. Specimen
issues from the early 1990s start around $15. 2a replacements and rare
dates start around $50. UNC bundles can go into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Bosnian designed potteries are always in demand. Other souvenirs are art and military related objects.